There was a rug on the floor, a round table, some very high chairs
with straight backs, and some mirrors. We sat in state some few
minutes and then more ladies came in one after another, and each
one we had to salute in the same ceremonious way...."

"We had to drink tea when we first went in, and later quite a meal
was spread on the round table, cakes, fruits, and tea again. We sat
at the table with about three of the principal ladies, and the
others looked on. I was a good deal struck with the respectful way
the young women treat the older ones, always rising when they enter
the room, and remaining standing until they are seated.... We were
invited to go and inspect the house, and I was soon quite
bewildered at the number of courtyards with rooms all round, which
we were led through. I think I was never before in so large a house
in China, all one story, but it must cover a great deal of ground.
The number of people, too, seemed very great; wives, sons' wives,
brothers' wives, children in dozens and scores, servants and slave
girls to any number--altogether in that one establishment, one
hundred and twenty people."

"At last we finished our tour of inspection, and arrived again in
the inner court; but alas! more refreshments were waiting, a bowl
of soup for each of us, with some white stuff inside.... We got
through the greater part of the concoction, wiped our mouths with a
cloth wrung out in very hot water presented to us by a slave girl,
and began to take our leave, bowed to the ladies of the house,
begged them to be seated, informed them that we had given them
much trouble, but felt grateful for their kindness, and amid
repeated requests to 'walk slowly, slowly,' we reached our chairs,
alternately calling our thanks, and requests to them to be seated.